Russian anti-doping road map slipping - Reedie

Russian anti-doping measures are lagging behind schedule but progress is being made with potential compliance, WADA President Sir Craig Reedie says at a meeting in Lausanne

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SHOWS: LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (MARCH 13, 2017) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. EXTERIOR OF SWISSTECH CONVENTION CENTRE WHERE WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) SYMPOSIUM IS TAKING PLACE
2. SWISSTECH CONVENTION CENTRE SIGN
3. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
4. WADA PRESIDENT SIR CRAIG REEDIE WELCOMING JOURNALIST FOR INTERVIEW
5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY PRESIDENT, SIR CRAIG REEDIE, SAYING:
"Timing on that is crucial. They (Russia) are aware of that. The road map slips, I have to say, every now and again. They know it slips; there has been admission of fault, which is fine. I regard that as healthy so I think we made progress. We may have to make it faster. We are also involved as an organization in a pre-games testing program that we were in before Rio and that will have to be well organized and be efficiently run. And for a winter games, it should be easier to do because it is a smaller number of sports."
STORY: World Anti-Doping Agency President Sir Craig Reedie said on Monday (March 13) that Russia was lagging behind the agreed reform schedule but progress was being made, leaving the door open for potential compliance with WADA regulations still possible before the end of 2017.
"Timing on that is crucial. They (Russia) are aware of that. The road map slips, I have to say, every now and again. They know it slips; there has been admission of fault, which is fine. I regard that as healthy so I think we made progress. We may have to make it faster. We are also involved as an organization in a pre-games testing program that we were in before Rio and that will have to be well organized and be efficiently run. And for a winter games, it should be easier to do because it is a smaller number of sports," Reedie told Reuters at an international meeting in Lausanne.
A series of reports by WADA have found that Russia conducted rampant state-sponsored doping, leading to the country's track-and-field federation being barred from last year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The vast majority of Russian competitors also seem certain to miss the world athletics championships in London in August.
Reedie said that RUSADA, suspended in 2015 for systematically breaking anti-doping rules, had taken steps forward in the past year, but more were needed.
Also speaking on Monday, Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov said Russia would have its suspension lifted in November.
Kolobkov said Russia would "work diligently" towards a clean culture and listed what he said was progress on restructuring its anti-doping system after years of cheating scandals across a wide range of sports.
However, Reedie said these comments were not helpful.

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